daimon (idea)

Daimon in Greek means 'divine power,' 'fate,' or 'god.' It's used in literary circles and English classes to mean what takes place after an Oracle of any sort prophesizes and before the prophecy is fulfilled. Oedipus does what he can to evade his mother, and has free will while doing so--no Olympian god is coming down to force him one way or the other--but still All Things Come To Pass.

More than just in Greek works, it's what you're expecting to happen in Marlow's Faust, or "Friends'" (of TV fame) Phoebe; it's the western version of karma where the character gets what was originally intended for them--but because of their actions. The watchers know the outcome from the outset, but the exact nature of characters' fates is self-determined.